In April–May 2025 we (a semi-retired Australian couple) spent a month travelling down the West Coast of the USA: starting in Seattle, turning around in San Diego and finishing in Los Angeles. It was a classic long‑form road trip: big cities, small towns, redwood forests, coastal drives, quirky museums, historic sites and a lot of good food along the way.

We planned it around comfort, value and geography — choosing places that made the driving easier, gave us access to the things we wanted to see, and kept the trip feeling relaxed rather than rushed. Some stays were simple, some were quirky, some were surprisingly great, and all of them were places we actually slept, cooked, parked and refreshed (every accommodation listed below included free parking, a key issue for road trippers as parking can add a considerable amount to an overnight stay).

This guide brings together the full line‑up of hotels (including one ship!), motels and cabins we used from Seattle to San Diego to LA. It’s designed for anyone planning a similar route and looking for real, lived‑in recommendations rather than generic lists.

Tips for planning a West Coast Road Trip

Here are some practical things that made our month‑long trip smoother, cheaper and more enjoyable.

Choose stays with free parking whenever possible: City parking adds up quickly. Staying slightly outside the busiest areas saved money and stress.

Prioritise rooms with a fridge and microwave (or a full kitchen): self‑catering breakfasts, the odd dinner and packing picnics kept costs down and made early starts easier.

Book Redwood accommodation early: Avenue of the Giants fills fast in spring/summer, especially the cabins with kitchenettes.

Check Highway 1 road conditions before committing: closures and landslides are common. Always check Caltrans before driving Big Sur (the through route was actually shut for our trip as the landslide had still not been repaired).

Mix long driving days with shorter ones: the coastal sections are slow but beautiful. Allow extra time for viewpoints and photo stops.

Use public transport in big cities: Seattle, Portland, San Diego and LA are all easier when you’re not parking a car every few hours (and paying exorbitant parking costs.

Stay walkable when possible: being close to museums, waterfronts or neighbourhood centres meant we could explore without moving the car.

Book popular stops early: Carmel, Santa Barbara and Portland get busy — booking ahead gave us better prices and options.

Keep snacks and water in the car: some stretches of the coast have long gaps between towns. A small cooler bag was invaluable for packing yummy picnic lunches.

Don’t try to see everything: the West Coast is huge. Choosing a few key experiences in each place kept the trip feeling relaxed rather than rushed.

Seattle, Washington

We chose Reside Seattle Downtown for four nights in Seattle. We had an apartment on the fifth floor, with a fabulous view of the Pike Place Market sign just half a block away and the harbour beyond, and could even see Mount Rainier through the gap between buildings!
The room was very comfortable with a full kitchen, which made it easy to self‑cater breakfasts and pack simple lunches for long days out. You can easily walk to a very nearby Target and Asian supermarket for supplies.
The location is excellent — two blocks from the Link Light Rail, walkable to Pike Place, the waterfront and most tour departures. There's also a pay for use laundry within the premises, and the staff were very friendly and helpful.

Kennewick, Richland, Washington

We stayed at the Super 8 by Wyndham Kennewick for our first stop after Seattle (we'd been intending to do a tour of the Manhattan Reactor B, but it was closed for works and their website says it still has not reopened). A clean, reliable stopover with free parking right outside the rooms. The microwave and included breakfast made it easy to keep things simple after our journey from Seattle over the Snoqualmie Pass. It’s a practical choice for breaking up the journey east, especially when you’re arriving later in the day and just need somewhere comfortable and straightforward.

The Dalles, Oregon

The Motel 6 The Dalles (pronounced 'Dahls') provided classic road‑trip motel convenience: free parking at the door, easy check‑in and a fridge/microwave setup for quick breakfasts or snacks. Ideal for a one‑night stay enabling a visit to the historical sights including the Fort Dalles Museum, Anderson Homestead and the fabulous Columbia Gorge Discovery Centre and Museum. Nothing fancy, but dependable and well‑located for continuing south the next morning.

Portland, Oregon

One of our favourite stays of the entire trip, the Inn at Northrup Station. Another full kitchen meant we could self‑cater breakfasts, put together picnics and easily enjoy a quick baguette and soup dinner one night. Free on‑site parking is a huge bonus in Portland (not only for cost, but also as a disincentive to folk attempting to break into cars), and the free tram pass included made it effortless to get around without driving. The neighbourhood is lively but relaxed, with cafés, groceries and restaurants within a short walk. There was also a voucher for a free drink at a nearby winery cellar door/restaurant or bar, which was a lovely touch.

Salem, Oregon

The Hotel Salem was comfortable, quiet and practical, with free parking and a microwave for simple meals. Breakfast is included, which made mornings easy before heading out to the Willamette Valley wineries and the Evergreen Aviation Museum (for the Spruce Goose originally, but turned out to be an incredibly interesting stop even those who are not avaiation enthusiasts). An excellent overnight stop with everything you need close by (also had a self-service laundry on site and was walking distance to eateries and grocery shops).

Florence, Oregon

The Quality Inn Florence was a friendly, easy stop on the Oregon Coast with free parking and a microwave for quick meals. Ideal after a day exploring Newport and the coastal viewpoints. Well‑located for continuing south the next morning without backtracking.

Redcrest, California

A rustic, atmospheric cabin stay right among the redwoods. Cabin 9 had a microwave and mini‑fridge, which made it easy to self‑cater breakfasts and keep picnic supplies cold. Free parking at the cabin door and a peaceful setting made this a memorable two‑night stay. Perfect for exploring the Avenue of the Giants and surrounding areas at your own pace (including the Drive Thru Tree!).
Book directly with them by calling (707) 722-4208 between 10am and 6pm (Pacific Time) - further details on their website https://redcrestresort.com/.

Fort Bragg, California

Harbor Lite Lodge was a lovely place to chill a bit after days of driving and sightseeing. Clean rooms and free parking, very friendly staff and always love places where you can get a strong filter coffee at reception at any time. We went for a Deluxe King harbour view, lovely to sit out on the balcony and watch the seals swim by in the late afternoon. The microwave and fridge made it easy to put together simple meals, and the location is excellent for Mendocino, the lighthouse, coastal walks and the Skunk Train. A solid, good‑value base for exploring this stretch of the coast. And head down to the small harbour where you can fabulous fish and chips and a local beer. We also spent a bit of each afternoon at Tall Guy Brewing, great music from a collection of vinyl, an extensive beer list on tap, and board games - including a vintage Aussie classic called 'Squatter'! We haven't seen one 'in the flesh' for years, it's like Monopoly but about running a sheep station. 
Book Harbor Lite Lodge direct through their website: https://harborlitelodge.com/

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Had a restful night at Vendange Carmel Inn & Suites - charming and quiet with free parking (a rarity in Carmel). While there’s no full kitchen, the fridge and microwave setup enables a quick breakfast before heading off in the morning (but confess we instead treated ourselves to a huuuge brekky at the Mission Ranch and Restaurant). A lovely stop after a long drive, with friendly staff and a peaceful atmosphere. It is a fairly busy road so ask for a room at the back.

San Simeon, California

The Comfort Inn near Heart Castle - Cambria (formerly the Pacific Coast Roadhouse Hotel) at San Simeon was chosen specifically for its proximity to Hearst Castle. It's simple but comfortable, has free parking, breakfast included, and a microwave in the room made it easy to heat up a quick evening meal. Minutes from the beach and perfectly placed for an early start at Hearst Castle the next morning.

Santa Barbara, California

We did lots of research before settling on the Avania Inn in Santa Barbara, and it was a great decision. A great location with free parking — a big advantage in Santa Barbara. The microwave and fridge were handy for breakfasts and snacks, and the inn is walkable to the waterfront, Funk Zone, museums and historic sites. A reliable base for three nights of sightseeing (and there's a laundromat within a 10 minute walk).

San Diego, California

The Best Western Plus Bayside Inn in San Diego is excellent value in a central location with free parking (rare in San Diego). The microwave and fridge made it easy to have breakfasts before full sightseeing days - we were provided with a breakfast bad that had a heatable breakfast muffin or burrito plus a juice and snack, and could grab it the night before, keep it in the fridge and have it whenever we liked next morning. Walkable to the harbour, USS Midway and the trolley, which meant we didn’t need the car at all during our stay.

Long Beach, California

The Queen Mary has been on our bucket list for years and we made it happen this trip.
A unique, atmospheric stay on a historic ship. Parking is available on‑site, and the experience itself is the draw. A fun one‑night stop that breaks up the journey between San Diego and LA, especially if you enjoy maritime history or unusual accommodation (the rooms are in the original cabins so a little smaller than normal, but enjoyed the old fixtures and fittings to make it an atmospheric experience).

West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California

The Beverly Laurel Hotel was one of those quirky stops - retro, clean and brilliantly located for exploring LA without a car (although it does have free parking if you still have your car at this point). The microwave and fridge made breakfasts easy before heading out (but make sure you have brekky at Swingers Diner next door at least one day). Walkable to the La Brea Tar Pits, The Grove and plenty of food options. A practical, good‑value base for LA.